MOLINEUX legend Steve Bull believes his former club can become a top-flight force, while Rovers boss Steve Kean is convinced his club can compete with the big boys in the transfer market.

They clash at Molineux this afternoon when the winner will be guaranteed survival, though a draw could conceivably see both relegated.

Bull, Wolves’ record scorer, feels that survival would be an even bigger achievement than last season and that manager Mick McCarthy should be branded “a magician” if they attain that goal.

He said: “I think Wolves can definitely kick on if they survive this year, like Stoke and Fulham have done.

“They always say the first couple of years are the hardest to stay in the Premier League.

“Once they have cemented that place, they can go on from strength to strength. Stoke and Fulham are the ones to follow.

“That’s what Wolves have to start striving for now, a bit of stability in the Premier League.

“Hopefully Mr (Steve) Morgan (chairman-owner) will put some more money into the club and will strengthen in certain positions where we’ve been lacking this season.”

Bull has no doubt that McCarthy is the man to stay at the helm, even if Wolves are relegated.

He added: “If Mick keeps us up again this year, he is a magician. He seems to have the knack of getting points at the vital times.

“He did it last year, he’s done it this year. We are still in the mix but I’m sure Mick will turn it around.

“I don’t want to talk about going down but stability is the main thing. I think Mick should stay even if Wolves are relegated.

“He has got the crowd and the chairman behind him. If he’s got the team behind him as well, which he has, that’s a job well done.”

Wolves’ only major injury worry concerns striker Kevin Doyle.

He aggravated his knee problem after coming on as a substitute

in the 3-1 win at Sunderland.

Kean (right) flew to India

this week to meet Blackburn’s

owners Venky’s, but insists the word ‘relegation’ was never mentioned – only plans for a successful future in the top flight.

He said: “The most important thing was talking about the budget and I now know that’s very healthy. We’ve got a fantastic budget to work with next season.

“What that will mean is attracting good and established players, extending contracts for people coming to the end of their deals – Junior Hoilett being one of them – and having a budget to go and compete with teams in the top ten.

“We didn’t mention specific players but we mentioned positions and the wage bill we will need.”

Asked about his future if Rovers go down, Kean said: “We never spoke about that. We spoke about me being in charge for the remainder of my contract and beyond.”

Kean added that his team were in good form and itching to play.

He said: “Wolves have been quite animated – it’s ‘Beat Blackburn Weekend’, it’s ‘Survival Sunday’. We want to view it as ‘Success Sunday’ because we are in such good form.”

Chris Samba, Hoilett and Junior Jones have given Kean a boost by shaking off injury niggles, so only long-term absentees Ryan Nelsen and Vince Grella are unavailable.